Ewing teen breaks into modeling, television

EWING — Modeling is a tough industry to break into. But for one Ewing youngster, perseverance is paying off.

Cooper Csillan, 18, took the advice of his aunt and answered an open call in January for a modeling agency in New York city. He was rejected that day, but that only motivated him to work harder.

“I didn’t get signed that day which was pretty disappointing but I had hope. I kept submitting photos of myself to different agencies,” explained Csillan.

Three months later, Csillan received a call from Metro Model Management in Philadelphia. That called landed him a meeting with top executives in NYC and a subsequent contract with Metro Model Management.

“I did a photo-shoot to strengthen my portfolio and then just waited for work,” said Csillan who graduated Ewing High in the class of 2012 and currently is a student at Mercer County Community College.

After less than a month, Csillan received a call from his manager notifying him that HBO was interested in offering him a feature role on Boardwalk Empire.

“I was in utter shock. I had never acted, or have done anything like that I just wanted to model it was crazy,” said Csillan.

Csillan went to New York City the next day, received a fresh haircut and fitted for the show. While getting ready to shoot the show Csillan says he bumped into Megan Fox and other high profile actors. “It was an amazing experience like no other,” he said.

“It all started months ago when I told him to get a part-time job like all other college guys,” said David Csillan Cooper’s Dad.

“With his creative mind, he just happened to opportunity for very non-traditional one,” added his mom Laurie.

While things are looking up for Csillan’s modeling and acting career he is not putting all his eggs in one basket. The MCCC student is studying exercise science and plays in the college’s soccer team.

“I want to act, but my fallback plan is becoming a PE teacher,” he said.

Csillan credits the support from his cousin Amy Locane, his girlfriend, family and Metro Model Management for his success.

Csillan will appear in an episode of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire in October.